Can-opener.



No. 717,254. 4 Patented Dec. 30, I902.

' J. M. NETTLES.

CAN OPENER.

{Application filed May 14, 1902.\

(Nu Model.)

INVENTOH UNITED STATES JAMES MALAOHI NETTLES,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF SHUBUTA, MISSISSIPPI.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 717,254, dated December 1902- Application filed May 14., 1902.

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES MALACHI NET- TLES, a citizen of the United States, residing in the town of Shubuta,in the county of Clarke and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Can-Opener, to be known as the Nettles Can-Opener, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an implement which will more readily and easily open oyster, sardine, and other tin cans.

The drawing presents a side elevation, partly in section, of acan-opener embodying my invention.

The letter A in the drawing represents the steel blade,and G the handle of the can-opener.

E is a steel shank connecting the steel sectoralshaped blade with the handle, and F is a continuation of said shank extending into the handle. The handle G is made of wood.

B is the back of the blade, and O the sharp edge. The back at B is three-sixteenths of an inch thick and gradually tapers to the edge at G. The front end of the blade A has a blunt stop projection at D. At its opposite end from the stop projection D the sectoralshaped blade has a pointed heel I, which will be found useful in making the first or initial cut in opening cans. This is to prevent the blade from going down into the can while using it in case the top of the can to be out should be longer than the blade. The steel blade A and E and F comprise a single piece of metal. The shank E is three-sixteenths of an inch thick, and at J, Where the shank E enters the wooden handle G, it is five-sixteenths of an inch wide, and from this point it gradually tapers down to three-sixteenths of an inch at H, and it has a bright thin washer on its end at H and is bradded on the end to hold the washer on.

The can-opener is operated in the following manner: For opening sardine and other like cans take the wooden handle G in the hand, with the pointed heel I down. Stick the Serial No. 107,376. (No model.)

pointed heel I in the tinwith a light stroke. Then press firmly down toward D, cutting the tin the full length of the can on one edge. Out it in the same way on the opposite side and also across one end. Then pull the tin thus cut up with the pointed heel I. In opening round cans place the can to be opened on its end. Stick the pointed heel I in the top of the can at one edge with a light stroke. Press firmly toward D until you cut across the top of the can to be opened. Then take the canopener at a cut across the top of the can again at right angles with the first cut. This done, turn the handle ofthe can-opener around in the hand and place the thumb on the edge of the can and pull the cut tin up with the pointed heel I.

It is claimed for this can-opener that it is entirely different from any other can-opener heretofore in use both in the manner of its construction and in its use, that it is simple in construction and operation, that there is no danger of cutting the hand with the canopener or with the tin While in operation, that there is nothing about it that will break or get out of fix, and that it will open a can easier and quicker than any other can-opener.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A can-opener consisting of a single piece of metal comprising a sectoral-shaped blade having at one end a pointed heel I, and at the other a blunt projection D, and a shank E intermediate the ends; all of such parts lying in the same vertical plane and all substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES MALAOHI NETTLES. 

